Infant&#39;s dressing tray



Jan. 3, 1950 c. R. GUNTER 2,493,401

INFANTS DRESSING TRAY Filed Aug. 25, 1947 Fig. 8.

I n z'entor Charles R. Gunter B, fizwaaiiam.

Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INFANTS DRESSING TRAY Charles R. Gunter, Norfolk, Va.

Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,386

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in trays and more particularly to dressing trays for infants.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dressing tray for infants so designed as to permit the same to be quickly and readily applied to a crib whereby an infant may be placed thereon for dressing or the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a dressing tray that embodies novel and improved means whereby an infant will be retained in position thereto in a safe manner should his attendant be called elsewhere for a short period of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an infant's dressing tray including a frame which is conveniently disassembled for storing or shipment of the same.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a device of the foregoing character that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, neat and attractive in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the dressing tray constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the present invention applied in position between a pair of side members of a crib (shown in dotted lines) Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a crib showing the present tray applied thereto for use;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a crib showing the manner in which the present dressing tray is supported thereby when not in use;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a crib showing the tray supported thereby in an unused position; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a crib showing the tray engaging brackets carried by the head board thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein, for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral l0 represents the open, substantially rectangular frame of the present dressin tray generally, comprising a pair of spaced parallel side members [2 and a pair of spaced parallel end members 14. It is preferred that tongues I6 project outwardly from the ends of the end members 14 to engage grooves [8 that are provided in the side members whereby the frame may be quickly and readily disassembled for shipment or storage or for a purpose which will later be more apparent in the description.

The numeral represents a substantially rectangular sheet of water-proof material such as canvas or the like having its corners removed as at 22. The edges of the sheet 2|] are folded inwardly and secured to themselves by stitching or the like to provide marginal sleeves 24 that engage the side members [2 and end members M with the removed corners providing an opening whereby the members 12 and I4 may be disengaged from each other so that the material 20 may be washed when desired.

Rigidly secured to substantially the centers, and undersides of the side members [2, is one terminal of a pair of straps 26, one free terminal of Which ppo ts a buckle 28 that adjustably engages the free terminal of the other strap.

Fixedly secured to the under side of one of the end members is a pair of substantially U-shaped members 30 having one of their legs elongated and turned outwardly to provide an engaging arm 32.

In practical use of the device, the frame is placed horizontally upon the side members 34 of a usual crib 36, so that an infant may be conveniently placed thereupon for dressing. Should the infants attendant have to leave the child for retrieving clothes or the like, the retaining strap may be adjusted about the infants abdomen to hold the infant safely against the tray.

It is preferred that U-shaped brackets 31 be secured to the outer face of the head board 38 of the crib so that arms 32 may engage the same to support the tray in a convenient position relative to the crib when not in use.

Obviously, the convenience of having a dressing tray which may be applied to a crib will greatly reduce the normal walking of an infant's attendant while removing the infant from the crib for dressing and then placing him back in the crib. Also, as the relative height of the side members of a crib is of a height greater than the height of a normal bed, tiresome bendingwhile Changing the infant is eliminated by this invention.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In an infants crib havinga pair of side walls and a pair of end wallsy'a dressing tray comprising an open substantiallyrectangular frame having a covering, a pluralityof channel members fixed to said frame adjacent one end thereof,

4 said channel members having inner leg portions and extensions extending angularly from said inner leg portions and forming hooks, said channel members adapted to yieldingly grip the side walls to support the tray in a substantially horizontal position, and U-shaped retaining brackets fixed to one of said end walls for receiving said hook forming extensions to support the tray in a substantially vertical position at oneend of the crib. CHARLES R. GUNTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the :flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kraus Mar. 27, 1923 Dougherty May 27, 1930 McCandless Oct. 13,1931 'Schuck Oct. 28, 1941 Number 

